I didn't realize that was part of the job in AC

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

Secretly filming a rival politician with a hooker in an attempt to blackmail him is just part of the job description for a council president in Atlantic City. That's what Craig Callaway apparently contends.

The former head of the resort's City Council, who pleaded guilty last year to orchestrating an extortion scheme against Councilman Eugene Robinson, recently argued that his criminal actions fell under the umbrella of city work and that he is entitled to have the city cover any award from the court and maybe even have city attorneys defend him.

Three of Callaway's alleged accomplices - outgoing Councilman John Schultz, former city employee Floyd Tally and former Public Works Director David Callaway - are requesting the same from the city. However, those three have continued to maintain their innocence.

Many of Atlantic City's indemnity agreements were approved during the peak years of battle between Craig Callaway and Mayor Lorenzo Langford. Numerous complaints and countercomplaints were filed by both sides and their supporters. The city traditionally responded by providing broad legal umbrellas for politicians and city employees.

"Taxpayers are really being beaten over the head with these lawsuits and those responsible are not required to pay at all," said Johnson, who suggested that a separate judiciary panel should determine who is responsible for their own defense and when the city must step in. "It's a flawed system."

A Barber shop debate in Atlantic City

by: Jason Springer

Sat May 02, 2009 at 01:49:17 PM EDT

The smell of oil sheen hair spray and the hum of electric razors set the scene for a debate Saturday at Omar and Abdullah's Hair Bazaar between mayoral candidates Mayor Lorenzo Langford and 2nd Ward Councilman Marty Small.

Tufts of black hair speckled the floor, and diesel fumes from buses that passed by on Atlantic Avenue wafted through the door. Posters of President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X hung on the walls of the shop.

There was no podium, no microphones and no television cameras. But there was a moderator - barbershop co-owner Omar Anderson.

"You're a sellout! You're a snitch to the FBI!- someone in the crowd near the front door yelled to Small.

"I can't be controlled or manipulated by anyone. I'm Marty Small. Check the record. And you better stop mouthing off back there," Small yelled toward the front of the shop before sitting back down in his chair.

My two Mayors

by: Jason Springer

Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 08:50:34 PM EST

Atlantic City has a new mayor today. Problem is, the old one isn't leaving just yet.

Lorenzo Langford, who won the election last week, had his victory certified by the county Board of Elections on Tuesday, even though government offices were closed. The certification was to be delivered to City Hall this morning.

But Scott Evans, who has been mayor for nearly a year and lost the Democratic primary to Langford in June, says he will remain as mayor until Langford holds a public swearing-in ceremony on Thursday.